President Barack Obama is back in Chicago tonight for a pair of fundraisers as Democrats try to capture the House and defend the Senate next year.

During his 15-minute remarks at the Hilton, Obama said he's willing to work with Republicans, but said he can get more done with Democrats in charge of the House.

"If day in, day out, what we confront is obstructionism for the sake of obstructionism, and what appears to be an interest only in scoring points or placating the base as opposed to trying to advance the interests of the American people, then we've got to figure out a way to work around that," he said. "And one of the best ways to work around it is to have a Democratic House of Representatives."

Obama also offered a litany of his priorities, calling for gun control laws he said most Americans support. On energy, Obama noted improvements in fuel economy and clean energy, but said a further commitment to fighting climate change "so that we can be leaders not just for our own kids, but kids around the world."

Standing in front of an American flag, the president threw out some local sports love, to applause on the hockey end.

"My remarks are going to be relatively brief because of game seven for the Blackhawks," Obama said.

The president noted the Crosstown Classic was held today "and I expect the Sox to win," Obama earned cheers and a smattering of boos.

"I'm not a Cubs hater, I'm just saying I want the Sox to win," Obama said.

The Cubs defeated the Sox again Wednesday, winning a Wrigley Field 9-3.

The president touched down at O'Hare International Airport shortly before 5 p.m. and was greeted by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, his first White House chief of staff. They boarded the Marine One helicopter and headed downtown to the Hilton for the first fundraiser.

The president is raising money for congressional Democrats as his party tries to retake the House in next year’s mid-term elections. Obama will be accompanied by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., who chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, according to an invitation obtained by the Tribune.

Obama led the crowd in singing happy birthday to Israel, whose birthday the president said is tomorrow. Obama noted that new Rep. Robin Kelly was in the crowd, along with Sen. Richard Durbin and Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Evanston gave introductory remarks. She gave a shout-out to minority leader Pelosi, Rep. Israel, Rep. Bobby Rush of Chicago and Rep. Bill Foster of Naperville, among others.

Protecting Illinois' Democratic congressmen and electing new ones in 2014 "is critical to (Obama's) progressive agenda," Schakowsky said. Democrats picked up several congresional seats last year under a new map the party drew for that purpose.

The first event is a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Hilton Chicago. The second is a dinner from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Chicago home of longtime Obama supporters Bettylu and Paul Saltzman.

The contribution levels, according to the invitation, are: $1,000 for a reception ticket; $5,000 for two reception tickets and a photo; $10,000 for a dinner ticket and photo; $32,400 for two dinner tickets, a photo and preferred seating; and $50,000 for a table at the dinner, photo and preferred seating. The invitation notes that the timing dictates that donors choose one event or the other.

Officials from the DCCC said they would not be releasing estimates of how much money is raised tonight at the two fundraisers.

The House now has 233 Republicans, 201 Democrats and one vacancy.

First Lady Michelle Obama won’t be joining the president back home. She is scheduled to be in New York for Democratic National Committee fundraisers, including a gala for the lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities that features Jason Collins, the first openly gay active NBA player.

The president intends to stay the night in Chicago and return to Washington on Thursday.

More than 100 demonstrators waved signs and chanted outside the Chicago Hilton hotel where President Obama will attend a fundraiser tonight.

About half had gathered to express their frustration with ongoing deportations of immigrants and with the immigration bill that is pending in Congress.

The others waved red signs opposing the Keystone XL Pipeline. About a dozen abortion opponents were also gathered at the protest site, on the east side of the 700 block of South Michigan, with signs depicting aborted fetuses.

More than 100 demonstrators waved signs and chanted outside the Chicago Hilton hotel where President Obama will attend a fundraiser tonight.

About half had gathered to express their frustration with ongoing deportations of immigrants and with the immigration bill that is pending in Congress.

The others waved red signs opposing the Keystone XL Pipeline. About a dozen abortion opponents were also gathered at the protest site, on the east side of the 700 block of South Michigan, with signs depicting aborted fetuses.